New Leader with questions: I just took the new leader training last night. There is a lot of emphasis put on the first parent meeting and “setting expectations”. I’m curious what we’re some of the expectations for the scout parents other leaders had..
Our Facebook Leaders have shared their experiences:
Katy wrote: I think they probably emphasize that because many troops don’t get much help from GS parents. Sometimes a parent meeting with setting expectations works and you’ll get plenty of help and sometimes it just falls upon deaf ears because parents are too busy. Good luck! Hope your first year is as wonderful as possible!
Deborah’s expectations: I expect 1) timely responses to events; 2) timely payment of sums due; 3) participation in cookies and fall products; 4) substantial help with a badge or a trip from every parent; 5) to hear your issues from you and not from others; 6) on time pick up and drop off; 7) let the girls do their own work; 8) don’t stay in the meeting and talk or interfere; 9) girls lead — don’t interrupt them.
Wendy’s advice: You need to set up guidelines for how much parental involvement you want/need, how often you will meet, plus how often there will be other events outside of meetings. Talk about cost–what the troop will cover with cookie money and what it will not, and how much they are most likely to come out of pocket over the course of the year. Just for an example–I do not have parental involvement except for very few circumstances, since I feel that the girls bond better both with each other and the leaders without parents floating around. Plus, discipline is easier without the parents hovering. Also, our troop covers all camping expenses except for a special activity such as HB riding, plus all meeting, badge, and patch expense, and we charge a flat amount each half of the year to help cover our activities outside of meetings, based on what we are doing. This all requires planning ahead of course, and you may not agree with all of the above–this is just what has worked best for us over the past 10 years. We plan half of the year at a time, after talking with the girls about their interests. Since your troop is new and you won’t have cookie money, you may want to keep things simple the first year and costs down. You can ask for a start-up fee from each parent and go from there. Hope this helps!
Kerri’s help: Our first year all the troop parents met and talked about things like snacks or not, meeting times, to sell cookies or not and a troop fee. We asked for supplies for the troop craft bin. Each family donated something like scissors, glue sticks or crayons. Each parent took turns leading a craft or activity related to the petals. This helped with getting parents involved and to learn about GS and took pressure off our leader that year.
Michelle’s comment sparked some responses: A leader gripe that often comes up after the fact is whether parents/siblings are welcome to stay during meetings. If they are (and I would really suggest that they not be unless they are running some aspect of the meeting), set expectations for appropriate conduct.
- Maureen wrote: Yes, I agree, one of those uncomfortable conversations and can make the leader rather unpopular. Still, I think it’s pretty important to be vigilant on this one.
- Kelly’s comment: Yeah, parents have a tendency to sit in the middle of the meeting and have loud conversations with each other. We ended up having to ask them to sit outside the meeting room unless they were helping with the meeting.
Amanda sums it up for us: All these are very much in line with what we do. When parents are needed, when tagalongs are appropriate, which meetings are mandatory, what the uniform is (and when to wear it), a little bit about the organization and goals, dues, snack, supplies, and the all important cookie program.
Your troop will want parent volunteers beyond cookie and fall campaign mom. A thank you patch is a great way to tell your parent volunteers they are appreciated.
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